sorry for the noob questions... but I am a month old new owner.

It seems to me that 1st gear gets locked out once the 2006 boxster s is still moving a little bit.

for example, when I come to a stop sign but i am still rolling a little bit and i try to go into 1st gear but it wont let me.

Should I just drive from 2nd gear and on?

 

My 08 Boxster S easily goes into first as I slow down - no hesitation or resistance at all. I've had lots of manual transmission cars over the years and never have had that issue.

You'll want to get that checked out, it should be covered under warranty.

Hopefully it is a simple issue - let us know what it turns out to be.

 

Umm, I’ve owned mostly manual cars, driven mostly manual cars, and it’s like that with pretty much every one I can remember. First gear is pretty short, its not like you downshift into first for corners! I think at 5mph or less it lets you enter 1st, It probably says in your owners manual how to dive the car

 

it's definitely harder to get into first while in motion ,but not impossible. if it won't let you, period, i'd take it in. otherwise, it's normal to be harder to get in, every one of my manual cars exhibit similar behavior

 

Thats normal, every manual car I have had does that.
After you slow down to a certain speed you can force it in.
I assume this is done to prevent people from accidentally shifting into first, when driving.

 

If you took it into a shop, they would have a tech test drive it and then give it back to you, and charge you an hour diag for telling you what we have already said. You said you were a new owner, if the car is new, first is a pain for around 4000miles but after the synchro gets worn in it will be fine. Also if the trans is cold it will be hard.

 

WOW, I've the same problem in my 08 CaymanS.
Sometimes I've to try several times to go into 1st gear.

 

This thread got me curious - I have been able to get the cars I have previously owned into first gear at low speed and others who posted on this thread say it is normal to not be able to do it, some say they can do it with extra effort.

On my drive into work this morning I put my clutch in at 40 mph and could move the shifter into first with resistance. Of course I didn't let the clutch out At 10 mph there is no resistance.

Googled a few terms and I think the answer might be in the synchromesh set up of each transmission - some have first gear as part of the syncrhomesh and some do not. This would explain why you can shift into first at low speeds easily on some cars and not others.

Of course Porsche invented the modern synchromesh, here's part of the entry on manual transmissions from Wikipedia:

The modern cone system was developed by Porsche and introduced in the 1952 Porsche 356; cone synchronizers were called "Porsche-type" for many years after this. In the early 1950s only the second-third shift was synchromesh in most cars, requiring only a single synchro and a simple linkage; drivers' manuals in cars suggested that if the driver needed to shift from second to first, it was best to come to a complete stop then shift into first and start up again. With continuing sophistication of mechanical development, however, fully synchromesh transmissions with three speeds, then four speeds, and then five speeds, became universal by the 1980s. Many modern manual transmission cars, especially sports cars, now offer six speeds.

If this is the case the question comes up about the differences between our cars - I can shift very easily into first at low speeds and others can't - are there different transmissions, do some teeth in first gear have to wear a bit before it happens or is there an issue with some trannies?

Maybe someone who knows a lot about transmissions can help out.

 

The key to getting it into 1st while moving is double clutch and rev match. Here's an example:

At 15 mph push the clutch in.
Move the trans to neutral
Release the clutch
rev the engine to about 2500 rpm
While holding the revs at 2500, push in the clutch and move the
lever to first.
Release the clutch.

You can do this without double-clutching, just rev to 2500 with the clutch in as you move the gear lever to 1st but the double clutch puts a little less wear on the synchros.

Now if you are also slowing down using the brake pedal you will need 3 feet To add an extra foot just google "heel toe"